Hi everyone! Thank you for all the birthday messages! I had a really nice birthday. The other volunteers made me cards and gave me chocolate and ice cream :) I got to spend my birthday on a beautiful island, I couldn't imagine a better place! This past week has been good! On Saturday we went to Pele island for snorkeling and hiking. The hike to the top of the island was amazing - the view was awesome!
This week has been a little more emotional for me. My host mama is sick and had to go to the hospital, so I am without a Mama for the week. My Auntie and all of the other Mamas have been taking care of me, but I have a close relationship with my Mama here, so I just feel bad that she is sick.
Today was my second visit to Vila North. The classsroom sizes are much bigger than those in America. They average 40 kids to 1 teacher resulting in a very noisey environment. Students here are much different than those in the U.S. They are more meek when it comes to discussion and are very scared of making mistakes. But they are incredibly cute! The teachers that I've met thus far go out of thier way to make us feel welcome. They are so thankful to have us there and very open to advice. At this point in training I am only here to observe, but it's nice to know that when I eventually start teaching workshops they will be open to what I teach. The one major difference in schools is the lack of access to updated resources they have. Once I'm out on the islands - I pretty much am going to have nothing to work with. If I'm lucky I'll have a chalkboard and maybe some books. So any supplies - construction paper, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, tape, staples...would be extremely helpful. But I am going to have to learn to be creative with what I have. Other voluteers told me to save everything, because it will eventually come in handy in the classroom.
I am really becoming accustomed to the culture and lifestyle. I don't mind bucket baths so much, I am getting used to wearing a skirt everywhere I go. Although it is a pain when exercising in the morning. My friends and I walk and do yoga every morning. So I am finely finding routine.
I love and miss everyone dearly, but know that I am safe and having the time of my life.
This week has been a little more emotional for me. My host mama is sick and had to go to the hospital, so I am without a Mama for the week. My Auntie and all of the other Mamas have been taking care of me, but I have a close relationship with my Mama here, so I just feel bad that she is sick.
Today was my second visit to Vila North. The classsroom sizes are much bigger than those in America. They average 40 kids to 1 teacher resulting in a very noisey environment. Students here are much different than those in the U.S. They are more meek when it comes to discussion and are very scared of making mistakes. But they are incredibly cute! The teachers that I've met thus far go out of thier way to make us feel welcome. They are so thankful to have us there and very open to advice. At this point in training I am only here to observe, but it's nice to know that when I eventually start teaching workshops they will be open to what I teach. The one major difference in schools is the lack of access to updated resources they have. Once I'm out on the islands - I pretty much am going to have nothing to work with. If I'm lucky I'll have a chalkboard and maybe some books. So any supplies - construction paper, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, tape, staples...would be extremely helpful. But I am going to have to learn to be creative with what I have. Other voluteers told me to save everything, because it will eventually come in handy in the classroom.
I am really becoming accustomed to the culture and lifestyle. I don't mind bucket baths so much, I am getting used to wearing a skirt everywhere I go. Although it is a pain when exercising in the morning. My friends and I walk and do yoga every morning. So I am finely finding routine.
I love and miss everyone dearly, but know that I am safe and having the time of my life.
posted by Valerie Selden @ 3:08 PM
1 Comments:
At 12:10 PM,
Sarah said…
i am so glad you are having the time of your life!!! i love you and miss you!!! expect an email soon! :)
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